Genetic Diversity and Population Structure of Gynaephora qinghaiensis in Yushu Prefecture, Qinghai Province Based on the Mitochondrial COI Gene

Gynaephora qinghaiensis (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae: Gynaephora), a serious economic pest in alpine meadows, is mainly distributed in Yushu prefecture, Qinghai province, China. In this study, we aimed to investigate the genetic diversity and population structure of G. qinghaiensis through analyzing the sequence of 194 mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit (COI) genes (658 bp in length) identified from 10 geographic populations located in three different countries, including Zhiduo, Zaduo, and Chengduo, of Yushu prefecture. Eleven haplotypes were identified from all populations of G. qinghaiensis with high levels of haplotype diversity (0.78500) and low levels of nucleotide diversity (0.00511). High levels of genetic differentiation and low levels of gene flow were also detected among the populations of G. qinghaiensis. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) showed that 90.13% of the variation was attributed to distribution among groups (Chengduo, Zhiduo, and Zaduo), and 5.22% and 4.65% were, respectively, attributed to distribution among populations, within group, and within populations. The result of mantel test showed a highly significant positive correlation (P < 0.01) between F-ST and geographical distance. A maximum likelihood tree showed that most haplotypes were grouped into three clusters corresponding to the three counties, suggesting a significant phylogeographic structure in the populations of G. qinghaiensis. The haplotype networks revealed that H2 may be the most primitive haplotype and the most adaptable in nature. Populations 7# and 8# had haplotype H2 and higher haplotype diversity; therefore, we speculated that the G. qinghaiensis in both populations were more adaptable to the environment and had greater outbreak potential and, therefore, should be focused on in terms of prevention and control. Our findings provide valuable information for further study of the population structure and phylogeny of G. qinghaiensis and provide a theoretical basis for the control of G. qinghaiensis.